found in basra

when they found
their new home,
Jassem's 86-year-old mother
who can barely stand
even with crutches
was so happy, she stood outdoors

She said “today is the only day
I want to see in my life.”

Jassem, too
seemed to delight
in the irony
of her new house
but she has yet
to let
go of the fear
and anger
that brought her to this place

her fear
is that the Baathists
will return and remember

the piece of paper
she signed after her arrest
the one that said

she would be executed
if she ever did
anything against the party again

her anger is reserved
for the neighbor
who long ago informed
on her for a crime
she said she did not commit

“When I think of her,” Jassem said,
“I just wish to eat her and drink her blood.”